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These breeds are social animals. They love playing with other dogs and need regular interaction with their human family. These dogs are always up for a game of catch, and many breeds in this group are natural retrievers. Sporting dogs are subdivided into 4 types: pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels.
Some general characteristics include:
- High energy
- Focused
- Fun-loving
- Non-territorial
- Friendly
Brittany
Size: Medium, 17.5-20.5”, 30-40 lbs.
Color: Orange and white, liver and white (white may be clear or roaned)
Protection level: Alarm barker, more bark than bite
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 12 years
Good with children: Gentle, even-tempered, loves to play
Performance abilities: Bird hunting, field trials, hunt tests, agility, obedience
Shedding: Seasonal
Grooming: Minimal, brush to remove dead hair
Potential health concerns: HD, glaucoma, spinal paralysis, seizures, heart and liver problems
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Hunters, active families, fenced yards, plenty of exercise
Not for: Isolation, small apartments, the handicapped or elderly, penning with no chance for energy release
Pointer
Size: Large, female 23-26”, 35-65 lbs, male 25-28”, 55-90 lbs. (field lines usually smaller than show lines)
Color: Liver, lemon, black, orange; all with or without white
Protection level: Minimal, will bark to alert
Energy level: Moderate to high
Life expectancy: Field lines 10-12 years; show lines 12-14 years
Good with children: Tolerant, playful, loving, protective
Performance abilities: Excellent bird dogs, field trials, hunt tests, obedience, tracking, agility
Shedding: Sheds regularly
Grooming: Minimal; brush daily with a bristle brush to minimize shedding
Potential health concerns: HD, PRA, cataracts, entropion, epilepsy
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Hunters, active families, fenced yards
Not for: Allergy sufferers, protection, people who can’t provide opportunities to run twice a week
German Shorthaired Pointer
Size: Medium, female 21-23”, 45-60 lbs, male 23-25”, 55-70 lbs.
Color: Liver, liver and white ticked, spotted or roan
Protection level: Welcoming bark
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Good with children: Loving, though may knock down a toddler during play
Performance abilities: Hunting, field trials, hunt tests, obedience, tracking, agility, flyball
Shedding: Seasonal
Grooming: Minimal; brush with a rubber curry comb during seasonal shedding
Potential health concerns: HD and elbow dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, entropion, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, vWD,
Recommended health clearances: vWd, CERF
Best with: Hunters, active people, fenced yard
Not for: Stay-a-beds, frail people, penthouse parties, neglectful owners
German Wirehaired Pointer
Size: Medium to large, female smaller (no less than 22”), male 24-26”
Color: Solid liver, liver and white, may have spots, roaning, or ticking
Protection level: Medium to high
Energy level: Medium to high
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Good with children: Yes, likes to clown around
Performance abilities: Hunting, field trials, hunt tests, obedience, tracking, retrieving
Shedding: Seasonal, not as much as short-haired breeds
Grooming: Regular brushing, hand stripping for shows
Potential health concerns: HD and elbow dysplasia, cataracts
Recommended health clearances: OFA (hips and elbows), CERF
Best with: Hunters, active people, training, sense of humor
Not for: Owners with time limitations, strict obedience
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Size: Large, female 21-24”, 55-70 lbs., male 23-26”, 65-80 lbs.
Color: Brown (wheaten deadgrass to reddish sedge)
Protection level: High, more territorial than other breeds
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Good with children: Good with considerate ones
Performance abilities: Hunt tests, field trials, obedience, tracking, waterfowl retrieving, agility
Shedding: Seasonal
Grooming: Brush weekly with natural bristle brush
Potential health concerns: HD, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, OCD, PRA
Recommended health clearances: OFA (hips and elbows), CERF
Best with: Hunters, early socialization and obedience, open space, plenty of exercise
Not for: Novice owners, inactive people, apartments or condos
Curly-Coated Retriever
Size: Medium to large, 22-27”, 55-75 lbs
Color: Liver or black
Protection level: Alert, will bark at the unusual, good alarm dogs
Energy level: Very high
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Good with children: Yes, with early socialization and exposure
Performance abilities: Land and water retrievers, hunt tests, obedience, flyball, agility
Shedding: Some
Grooming: Run a comb through its hair; scissor-trim if desired
Potential health concerns: HD, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, PRA, entropion, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, bloat
Recommended health clearances: OFA (hips and elbows), CERF
Best with: Hunters, plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, fenced yard
Not for: Inactive owners, isolation
Flat-Coated Retriever
Size: Medium to large, female 22-23.5”, 55-75 lbs, male 23-24.5”
Color: Liver, black
Protection level: Barks an alarm, but fairly accepting of all
Energy level: Very high
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Good with children: Yes, with early socialization and exposure
Performance abilities: Land and water retrievers, hunt tests, obedience, flyball, agility
Shedding: Some
Grooming: Run a comb through its hair; scissor-trim if desired
Potential health concerns: HD, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, PRA, entropion, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, bloat
Recommended health clearances: OFA (hips and elbows), CERF
Best with: Hunters, plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, fenced yard
Not for: Inactive owners, isolation
Golden Retriever
Size: Medium, female 21.5-22.5”, 55-65 lbs, male 23-24”, 65-75 lbs.
Color: Gold - all shades (pale to rich reddish gold)
Protection level: Poor, will bark (in playful anticipation of company), love everyone
Energy level: Moderately high, field lines higher than show lines
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Good with children: Extremely loving and patient, can be a little rowdy for infants and toddlers
Performance abilities: Obedience, flyball, agility, field trials, search and rescue, therapy, service fields. Field lines good hunting companions.
Shedding: Yes, lots and often
Grooming: Brush twice a week
Potential health concerns: HD, OCDcataracts, entropion, allergies, hypothyroidism, cancer, epilepsy
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF, SAS, vWD
Best with: fenced yard, social people
Not for: Watch dog, small apartments, neat freaks, inactive people, backyard life
Labrador Retriever
Size: Large, female 21.5-23.5”, 55-70 lbs, male 22.5-24.5”, 60-80 lbs.
Color: Chocolate, black, yellow
Protection level: Good alarm dog
Energy level: High, especially as a puppy
Life expectancy: 10 years
Good with children: Yes, very patient with them
Performance abilities: Hunting and retrieving, obedience, field trials, hunt tests, freestyle, service fields.
Shedding: Seasonal, moderate
Grooming: Groom with a slicker brush
Potential health concerns: HD and elbow dysplasia, OCD, PRA, cataracts and other eye problems, diabetes, CMO, hypothyroidism, vWD, epilepsy
Recommended health clearances: OFA (hips and elbows), CERF
Best with: Active people, secure fenced yards, obedience training
Not for: Inactive people, neat freaks
Gordon Setter
Size: Large, female 23-26”, 45-70 lbs, male 24-27”, 55-80 lbs.
Color: Black with tan
Protection level: Good alarm dog, not likely to back it up
Energy level: High, calms down with age
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Good with children: Yes, can accidentally knock down toddlers while playing
Performance abilities: Pointing upland game birds, obedience, field trials, hunt tests, therapy, agility
Shedding: Heavy
Grooming: Brush daily to prevent mats and get rid of dead hair
Potential health concerns: HD, PRA, hypothyroidism, bloat
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Fenced yards, active people, obedience with firm, regular training
Not for: neat freaks, intimidated people, harsh handling, allergy sufferers, being left along for long periods
Irish Setter
Size: Large, female 25”, 60 lbs, male 27”, 70 lbs.
Color: Chestnut red or mahogany
Protection level: Low, but announces visitors
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Good with children: Yes, can accidentally knock down toddlers while playing
Performance abilities: Pointing upland game birds, obedience, field trials, hunt tests, therapy, agility
Shedding: Seasonal
Grooming: Brush weekly, more often during seasonal shedding
Potential health concerns: HD, PRA, hypothyroidism, bloat, epilepsy
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF (or DNA for PRA)
Best with: Patient undemanding people, consistent but soft training, sense of humor
Not for: Inactive people, allergy sufferers
American Water Spaniel
Size: Medium, 15-18”, female 25-40 lbs, male 35-45 lbs.
Color: Brown, solid liver, dark chocolate
Protection level: Good watchdog
Energy level: High as a puppy, but calms down with age
Life expectancy: 10-15 years
Good with children: Very good as long as they are socialized from a young age
Performance abilities: Hunting, obedience, tracking, retrieving
Shedding: Light, but constant
Grooming: Brush weekly; trim excess hair from feet, top knot and top of ears.
Potential health concerns: HD, PRA, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, patellar luxation, detached retina, cataracts
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Upland bird and waterfowl hunters, active families, lots of attention
Not for: Inactive people, meticulous gardeners, people without a lot of time, first-time dog owners
Clumber Spaniel
Size: Medium, female 17-19”, 55-70 lbs, male 19-20”, 70-85 lbs.
Color: White with lemon or orange markings
Protection level: Not great, but will bark
Energy level: Medium
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